Oscar Piastri couldn’t hide his disappointment after settling for second in the Sprint at Spa-Francorchamps, convinced a clearer run might have handed him victory over Max Verstappen.
The McLaren driver, starting from pole, lost ground early when he got stuck behind slower cars during his pit stop strategy. “It was frustrating,” Piastri admitted post-race. “We had the pace to win, but traffic killed our momentum. Still, points are points, and we’ll push harder in the main race.”
Teammate Lando Norris, who crossed the line third, offered a grounded take on McLaren’s form. “We’re quick, but not the quickest yet,” he said. “Wins will come, but we need to stay patient and keep developing. Red Bull’s still ahead on outright speed.”
With the Belgian Grand Prix proper looming, McLaren’s duo will aim to convert their Sprint promise into a stronger showing on Sunday, amid a tight battle at the front.
